Hyderabad constructs astroturfs for AAG

Updated: 25 February 2007 08:48 IST

Hyderabad is now home to two brand new System five Astroturf stadia.

Written by NDTVSports

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Hyderabad:

Hyderabad is now home to two brand new System five Astroturf stadia. Constructed specially for the Afro Asian Games these astroturfs are a necessity for the city to host a premier international hockey event.
Finishing touches are now being given to Hyderabad's prized possession. The officials of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) are thrilled over the international facility.
"This is one of the best stadia to come up and it meets all the mandatory requirements of the International Hockey Federation. For all major tournaments like the World Cup, they always ask for two grounds within walkable distance and one with floodlights,'' said K Jothikumaran, Secretary-General, IHF.
The lovely green was a rocky terrain some seventy days back. With the Afro-Asian Games as the deadline, 3000 workers laid the two world-class Astroturfs, making Hyderabad the hockey capital of the country.
"Most tournaments like Olympics, World Cup are played on System Five astroturf. Now that we have got System Five and floodlights, I hope hockey coaching camps are held in Hyderabad,'' said Mukesh Kumar, Former India Captain.
Though hockey is the premier event at the Games, it has lost sheen because of the absence of star players, both from India and Pakistan.
The IHF says the selectors will use the opportunity to test the team's bench strength and take a close look at some of the junior players.